Do You Know How To Understand What Your Dog Is Trying To Tell You?
By
Missy aka Tizzy in
Facts
On 17th August 2017
How many of us dog owners refer to ourselves as pet parents? It makes sense since we raise them mostly as puppies until the day they pass away. When you refer to yourself as a pet parent, you are letting people know that you love your dog as you would love your own children.
A lot of pet parents will tell you that there is another element to this. Just like kids, you can love your dogs and not understand them at the same time just like parents get confused when their child comes home saying some new "in" phrase that you have never heard before. But, unlike with pets, you and your child speak the same language.
This post is to help you learn to understand your dog's body language, so you know what they are trying to tell you...
#1 Constant eye contact
We all know that it is not always safe to stare a dog right in the eyes. It usually is a dominance thing and could set them off. But, if your pup has a normal expression and seems to be staring deep within your eyes, it is a powerful way of them showing affection.
#2 Bringing things to you.
While most think that they are ready to play a game of fetch, in most cases they are just bringing you a gift to make you happy.
#3 Raising one paw up in the air.
If you dog looks like this one in the photo, paw up and head down, it means they are on the hunt, and you should get out of his way.
#4 Hunching over and making himself look small.
This means that he is terrified. If you meet a new dog, and he does this, the chances are he was abused in the past.
#5 Chewing on furniture.
This can mean one of two things. Either your pup suffers from separation anxiety, or he is bored. In most cases, dogs can be broken of this bad habit through training.
#6 Sitting on your feet.
This is another sign that could mean several different things. A dominant dog will do this as a way of asserting themselves. Dogs with separation anxiety will do this to comfort themselves. It could also be a possessive trait of a jealous dog as a sign to others of you who you belong to.
#7 Yawning.
I bet you think your dog is just tired when you see him yawn. While this very well may be the case, it could also be a sign of stress or fear. If you bring your dog around a new person and they start doing this, chances are they are not ready to meet new people.
#8 Relaxed yawning.
Let's confuse the yawning situation some more by telling you that if your dog is relaxed and yawning they do it when you yawn or out of empathy for the way they feel you are feeling.
#9 Leaning on you.
This motion is a way to make them feel safe and for them to cuddle with you.
#10 Tongue flicking.
This is when the "dog's tongue extends straight out of the mouth and retracts again immediately." This is your dog's way of showing they are uncomfortable. It is not cute, and it should be taken seriously as they could be experiencing anxiety unless he is noticeably submissive then it could be him just showing off his dominant presence.
#11 Wanting to sleep in your bed.
This is done usually just because they want to be with you whether you are in it or not.
#12 Calmly staring at you as you leave the house.
Your dog staring at you when you leave your home is a good thing as long as it is not combined with barking or howling which are signs of separation anxiety. Otherwise, it is just them letting you know that they know you are going out for awhile.
